Light at the end of the .44 tunnel?

[Ranger J]

Just maybe, just maybe I can see that light at the end of the tunnel.  I got some .431 hard cast and loaded up about ten or so of two different loads.  Out of the Lee manual I took a Blue Dot load at about 1400 fps and an another using AA #2  that should be in the neighborhood of 1250 fps.  I am just estimating, as I don’t have one of them thar fancy things to measure bullet speed.  Also the Lee manual doesn’t tell you out of what length barrel they got their numbers, unless I am missing it somehow.  If these numbers were taken from a short barrel out of the handi they could be somewhat faster.
Anyway both loads grouped, that right I said grouped, with the slower one seeming to be the tighter of the two.  Granted I was only shooting at about 30 yards in my back yard range and haven’t been able to visit the local Department of Conservation range because of the weather and something called work.  Anyway things seem to be looking up on the .44 mag.  I slugged the barrel like someone suggested and it was a little larger than .431 but not a full .432.  After I get to the range for a better look at the .431 loads I will probably order some .432s just to see what they will do.  Aren’t these guns fun to mess with?  Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions.
Jerry

[JPH45]

At those velocities, you may find that the rifle will groups even better with a softer alloy, one that will obturate and fill the bore completely. I doubt you are getting that with bought hardcast, as most of that stuff is running at 18-20 BHN and would require approximately 26,000-29,000 psi to obturate. I've begun to work with an alloy that is about 8 BHN in my 357 Max, and it seems to have tightened up my groups, more shooting will of course tell the tale. All that said, if you are not getting any leading, that may be a more important detail to you. Going on to .432 bullets may tighten things up for you as well. A working rule of thumb with cast is to use bulles sized .001-.002" over the groove diameter, this has shown itself to be even more important with the microgroove configuration found on the 357 and 44 barrels.

[Datil]

Ranger 3, Welcome to GBO forums Come back often .
 I know what you mean about no time to play, Then when
 timeto do some thing it is ro d___ hot to reload. Take care.
 Marv.

[GrampaMike]

Thanks JPH45.

I had to look up the word Obturate.

Obturate - block passage through; "obstruct the path".

Mike